Gauchos defeat Matadors in regular season finale and claim the No. 3 seed in the Big West Championship

UC Santa Barbara’s men’s soccer team ended their regular season with a win over California State University, Northridge 3-2, securing their spot in the Big West Championship. 

On Saturday, Oct. 31, the Gauchos showed their strength on the pitch with an impeccable performance from senior midfielder Kaden Standish, who scored the first goal of the match and assisted both sophomore midfielder Steinar Bjornsson and junior midfielder Kalle Rahbek’s goals. 

Celebrating senior night during their last regular-season home match, both senior defenders Drew Kamienski and Calle Mollerberg stepped up to play the full 90 minutes.

Within 20 minutes of the first half, the Gauchos scored their first goal, with work from Standish and Rahbek assisting, sending it to the center of the goal for Bjornsson to punch in, making it his 10th goal of the season. 

Standish’s contributions continued; heading into the penalty area, he was fouled by a CSUN defender and earned a penalty kick, converting it into their second goal.

During the first 45 minutes, the Gauchos out-shot the Matadors 13-5; however, they only led 2-0 at the end of the first half.

Heading into the second half, the Gauchos kicked in another goal at the 52-minute mark. Directly assisted by Standish, Rahbek found the back of the net with a line-drive into the far bottom corner for the first time in a Gauchos uniform, upping the lead 3-0.

With the game not over yet, CSUN started their comeback with two goals in the 55th and 61st minutes. Only up by one, the final half hour was crucial for the Gauchos, who retained possession and avoided any further Matador goals. 

Head coach Tim Vom Steeg highlighted the team’s impeccable performance Saturday night. 

“The first half was probably the best half of the year,” he said. “We moved the ball around really well. We got the two goals. We did great.”

While the first-half dominance by the Gauchos gave way in the second half to two CSUN goals, Vom Steeg added that the win is what matters. 

“We picked up the win, and you know that’s what it is these days, you win and move on,” he added.

Standish, who finished with a goal and two assists, commented on what the night meant to him as a senior. 

“It feels amazing. Based on the season, I think this would be the last time I play at Harder, so I want to make the most of it,” he said. “I’ve had so many memories here with the team, family, everything about it, so I wanted to make sure this one counted, kind of gave it my all.”

Joining the program as a freshman for the 2023 season, Standish accomplishments include First Team All-Big West honors as a junior in 2025.

“I wanted my freshman year to be the building, sophomore year breaking through and junior and senior year to be kind of a standout player, [and] show the coaches, show the country who I am,” he said. 

Looking ahead, Standish added, “I think I’m at a good start, I just got to continue going. Hopefully we can get some big wins, get into the tournament, and just continue going. But yeah, I’m really pleased to see how this turned out,” he concluded. 

With the win over CSUN and Utah Valley’s over Cal State Bakersfield, the Gauchos secured the No. 3 seed in the Big West Championships. The semifinals will begin on Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Gauchos will head to UC Irvine to take on the No. 2 seed Anteaters at 6 p.m. at the Anteater Stadium in Irvine. The winner will compete against either No. 1 seed Utah Valley or No. 4 seed Cal State Bakersfield in the championship final on Nov. 13.